Results of Graduate Student Living Expenses Survey
During the spring 2002, a total of 216 graduate students
recently completed a survey to provide better data on
the living expenses incurred by graduate students at
Binghamton University. Participants were not necessarily
supported by any university or federal aid (assistantships,
fellowships, loans, etc.).
Background Information on Participants
Participants by Graduate Level
| Graduate Level |
# |
% of Total |
| Master's, less than 24 credits |
60 |
28% |
| Master's, 24 or more credits |
49 |
23% |
| PhD doing coursework |
25 |
12% |
| PhD coursework complete; predissertation |
13 |
6% |
| PhD ABD |
22 |
10% |
| Not Answered |
47 |
22% |
Marital Status of Participants
| |
# |
% of Total |
| Married/living with significant other |
52 |
24% |
| Not married |
164 |
76% |
Family Status of Participants
| Status |
# |
% of Total |
| Participants with children |
15 |
7% |
| Participants with no children |
201 |
93% |
Where Do They Live?
| Location |
# |
% of Total |
Average Commute to Campus (in miles) |
| Binghamton |
126 |
58% |
4 |
| Endicott |
5 |
2% |
6 |
| Endwell |
6 |
3% |
8 |
| Johnson City |
45 |
21% |
3.5 |
| Vestal |
23 |
11% |
2.5 |
| Pennsylvania |
1 |
0% |
50 |
| Other |
10 |
5% |
36 |
How Do Participants Spend Their Summers?
| Summer Activity |
# |
% of Total |
| Taking classes |
11 |
5% |
| Employment |
110 |
51% |
| Doing research |
68 |
31% |
| Other |
27 |
13% |
Participants by University Funding
| Funding Status |
# |
Average Academic Year* Stipend |
% of Total |
| Participants receiving monthly stipend for full academic year |
144 |
$9,497 |
67% |
| Participants receiving monthly stipend for either fall or spring semester |
23 |
$4,444 |
11% |
| Participants not receiving monthly stipend |
49 |
N.A. |
23% |
Tuition Scholarships
| Received Tuition Scholarship? |
# |
% |
| Yes |
159 |
74% |
| No |
55 |
24.5% |
| No response |
2 |
1.5% |
Federal Loans
| Loan Status |
# |
Avg Amt of 01-02 Loans |
% of Total |
| Receiving federal loans |
133 |
$7,741 |
62% |
| Not receiving federal loans |
81 |
-- |
37% |
| No response |
2 |
-- |
1% |
Annual Books and Fees
Fees: $716/2 semesters
Books: $750/2 semesters
Average Monthly Costs
Married Participants (n=52)
| Monthly Expense |
# of Respondents Who Provided An Amount |
Average Cost |
| Rent |
52 |
$463 |
| Utilities |
49 |
$109 |
| Phone |
52 |
$38 |
| Long distance calling |
52 |
$37 |
| Food |
52 |
$264 |
| Personal care items |
50 |
$67 |
| Insurance |
46 |
$42 |
| Healthcare not covered by insurance |
40 |
$36 |
| transportation |
48 |
$47 |
| Car Maintenance |
45 |
$207 |
| Childcare |
7 |
$109 |
Average Monthly Costs
Single Participants (n=164)
| Monthly Expense |
# of Respondents Who Provided An Amount |
Average Cost |
| Rent |
160 |
$318 |
| Utilities |
127 |
$65 |
| Phone |
162 |
$30 |
| Long distance calling |
147 |
$32 |
| Food |
160 |
$167 |
| Personal care items |
160 |
$44 |
| Insurance |
92 |
$32 |
| Healthcare not covered by insurance |
57 |
$30 |
| transportation |
164 |
$27 |
| Car maintenance |
109 |
$140 |
| Childcare |
2 |
$350 |
"Other" Expenses
A total of 111 graduate participants (51%)
reported that they have additional expenses beyond those
specifically mentioned above. These participants indicated
that they spend an average of $130/month for costs such
as research expenses (travel, photocopying, paper and
supplies, etc.), conference attendance, clothing, computer
expenses, internet service, gym dues, recreation/entertainment,
parking fees, professional dues, home/apartment insurance,
property upkeep (repairs), and property taxes.